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Hayes Valley

San Francisco

A small, stylish neighbourhood west of Civic Center, with independent shops, cafés and restaurants, close to the opera, the symphony and Alamo Square.

Best for Budget · Nightlife

Transport
4/5
Sights
3/5
Value
3/5
Quiet
3/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$260/night · 15 min to Union Square

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Hayes Valley on the map

Why stay here

  • Independent shops and cafés
  • Opera, symphony and Alamo Square nearby
  • Local neighbourhood feel

Who should stay here

  • Culture lovers
  • Return visitors
  • Couples

Not ideal if…

  • You want lots of hotel choice
  • You want to walk to the bay
  • You'd rather avoid Civic Center at night

What it's like

Hayes Valley grew up after a freeway was torn down, and Hayes Street is now lined with boutiques, cafés and restaurants around the little Patricia's Green park. The opera house and Davies Symphony Hall are a block east, and the Painted Ladies of Alamo Square are a short walk west.

It's a pleasant, local base for repeat visitors and culture lovers, with Muni Metro and BART nearby at Civic Center. Hotels are scarce, and the blocks around Civic Center and Market Street can feel rough at night.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Hayes Street

    Boutiques and restaurants around Patricia's Green.

  • Octavia Street

    Leafy boulevard where the freeway used to be.

  • Alamo Square

    Park facing the Painted Ladies.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Civic Center and Van Ness Muni Metro and BART stations, and buses along Hayes and McAllister streets.
To Union Square
About 15 minutes
From San Francisco International Airport
About 40 minutes: BART to Civic Center, then a 10-minute walk.

Nearby attractions

  • Painted Ladies

    The row of Victorian houses on Alamo Square.

  • San Francisco Opera

    Performances at the War Memorial Opera House.

  • Patricia's Green

    Small park with rotating public art.

Where to eat and drink

  • Hayes Street

    Wine bars and restaurants.

  • Pre-show dining

    Restaurants near the opera and symphony.

Where to stay in Hayes Valley

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Boutique pick

San Francisco Proper Hotel

Why we like it: Design hotel with a rooftop bar on Market Street, near Civic Center.

Typical mid-range rate in Hayes Valley: ~$260/night

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Hotels in Hayes ValleyMid-range from ~$260/night

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